SA Airlink plane flying over DHL Stadium. Johan Orton/Gallo Images
JOHANNESBURG - South Africans are divided after Airlink withdrew its application for a planned flyby over FNB Stadium ahead of Saturday’s Springboks-All Blacks clash.
Some fans are disappointed that they will miss another aerial spectacle, while others say the cancellation is the right call on safety grounds.
Airlink says the decision was made because of an unfavourable weather forecast, with conditions not expected to be suitable for a safe formation flyby.
The announcement comes as the South African Civil Aviation Authority reviews Airlink’s controversial flyby over DHL Stadium in Cape Town last weekend.
READ: Airlink blames bad weather as it cancels FNB flyby ahead of Boks game
Airlink maintains the Cape Town flyby was carefully planned, rehearsed and authorised, and says safety was its first consideration.
It had offered to provide the aviation regulator's review with its own flight data which was more precise than public flight-tracking mobile apps.
Now, with the FNB Stadium flyby cancelled, social media users are split.
Some say Airlink is simply responding to Saturday’s weather forecast and putting safety first.
READ: Airlink pulls FNB Stadium flypast application ahead of Boks, All Blacks showdown
Others are questioning whether the cancellation is connected to the scrutiny surrounding the Cape Town flyby, although there is no evidence to support claims of outside interference.
Airlink says it is sorry to disappoint fans, but insists that safety comes first.
The cancellation means fans heading to FNB Stadium for the third Test will have to settle for the action on the field.
Meanwhile, the SACAA says its review of the Cape Town flyby is ongoing and will determine whether any safety concerns warrant further action.